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The best base coats don\u2019t just make your nail polish last longer\u2014they can also keep your nails strong, healthy, and chip-free. A good base acts like a protective foundation, reinforcing weak or brittle nails while helping polish adhere better, so your mani stays flawless for days. It can also prevent peeling, cracking, or splitting, which is especially important if your nails are prone to damage (or if you\u2019re a sucker for a good gel mani). Whether you\u2019re dealing with thin, fragile nails, oily nail beds (yes, that\u2019s a thing\u2014more on this later), or you just want your polish to last for more than a day, the right base coat is the unsung hero that deserves a place in your DIY mani routine. To find the very best options, Allure<\/em> editors tested tons and reached out to nail experts to find out which formulas they keep in their kits.<\/p>\nOur Top Base Coats<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
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Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/p>\nAccordionItemContainerButton<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest Overall:<\/strong> OPI Natural Nail Base Coat<\/h2>\n\n
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OPI<\/p>\n
Natural Nail Base Coat<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why it\u2019s worth it:<\/strong> OPI\u2019s 2025 Best of Beauty Award-winning Natural Nail Base Coat quickly became an editor favorite during testing for good reason. We found that its glossy formula not only created a flawless base for polish, but also prevented discoloration (when worn solo) and extended the life of our manicures (when applied under color). With consistent use, we noticed stronger, healthier nails, making this base coat a rare all-in-one: It strengthens, protects, extends polish wear, and<\/em> delivers salon-worthy shine.<\/p>\n\n
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\u201cWhat I like most about this base coat is that it gives you a really even coat\u2014I just need two swipes on each nail and I\u2019m good to go. It also dries down fast, which means quicker, less messy manicures overall.\u201d \u2014Kassidy Silva, social director<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> ethyl acetate, butyl acetate<\/li>\nBest for:<\/strong> thin, brittle nails; extending polish wear time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest Peel-Off:<\/strong> Olive & June Peel Off Base Coat<\/h2>\n\n
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Olive & June<\/p>\n
Peel Off Base Coat<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why it\u2019s worth it:<\/strong> Olive & June\u2019s Peel Off Base Coat does exactly what it promises: It allows you to peel any nail polish\u2014whether it’s gel, the intended use, or not!\u2014off, without needing acetone. But don\u2019t worry, your color won\u2019t quit after day one or two. When applied just to the center of the nail (with a small border left bare), it still allows the edges of your polish to stick. When you\u2019re ready to remove, use a cuticle pusher to lift around each nail, then easily peel the polish off. Bonus: It\u2019s packed with glycerin to hydrate nails and prevent the drying effects that often come with gel polish and acetone. \u201cPeople are going to [peel off their gels] anyway, so we might as well give them a product that\u2019s going to prevent damage,\u201d New York City-based nail artist Julie Kandalec previously told Allure<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n
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\u201cSince you don\u2019t cure the peel-off base coat, it can be used under regular polish as well\u2014which is how I plan to use it in the future. I found that the wear time was just a bit short for my taste when I layered the peel-off under the gel, but imagine it will come in handy for special events when I coat my nails in loads of glitter.\u201d\u2014Kara McGrath, former content director<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> glycerin<\/li>\nBest for:<\/strong> removing polish quickly and easily, keeping nails hydrated<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest for Minimizing Chipping:<\/strong> Orly Bonder Basecoat<\/h2>\n\n
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Why it\u2019s worth it:<\/strong> Another favorite of Russel\u2019s, Orly\u2019s Bonder Basecoat is the one to buy if you struggle with lacquer longevity or have oily nail beds (yes, that\u2019s a thing, she says, and it makes your polish come off quicker!). According to Russel, this formula is a rubber base coat\u2014it\u2019s designed to dry with a slightly tacky finish to help polish stick to your natural nails, making your mani last longer and preventing chipping or cracking. Los Angeles-based manicurist Alex Jachno likes to think of it as the double-sided tape of base coats.<\/p>\n\n
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\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> ethyl acetate, butyl acetate<\/li>\nBest for:<\/strong> extending nail polish wear, preventing chipping<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest Strengthening:<\/strong> Nail Essentials by ASP Artificial in a Flash Super Hard Base Coat<\/h2>\n\n
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ASP<\/p>\n
Nail Essentials by ASP Artificial in a Flash Super Hard Base Coat<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why it\u2019s worth it:<\/strong> If your nails are weak and brittle, nail expert Juli Russel swears by the Nail Essentials by ASP Artificial in a Flash Super Hard Base Coat. \u201cIt hardens your natural nails and adds reinforcement to help prevent breaks,\u201d she says. Thanks to hydrolyzed keratin, a protein that penetrates the nail to strengthen and smooth, this base coat is like a mini nail rescue. When your nails are at their worst, take a polish break and apply it every morning\u2014you\u2019ll be back to strong, healthy nails before your next salon visit.<\/p>\n\n
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\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, hydrolyzed keratin, calcium<\/li>\nBest for:<\/strong> thin nails that break easily<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest Undercoat:<\/strong> ePhD Bond Repair Nail Treatment<\/h2>\n\n
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Epres<\/p>\n
ePhD Bond Repair Nail Treatment<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why it\u2019s worth it:<\/strong> UV light and gel polish can damage your nails over time, causing dryness and thinning. If your nails are struggling, a strengthening base coat (hi, ASP) is key\u2014but you can also use an undercoat (which should be applied underneath<\/em> your base coat) for some extra TLC. The ePhD Bond Repair Nail Treatment is Jachno\u2019s favorite. \u201cThink of it as the most beneficial pre-base coat step,\u201d she says. \u201cIt hydrates the nail bed, supports growth, and helps your manicures last longer. I\u2019ve never used a better treatment, and I use it on all of my clients.\u201d<\/p>\n\n
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\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> ethyl acetate, diethylhexyl maleate<\/li>\nBest for:<\/strong> healing nails and encouraging growth<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\nFrequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What’s the difference between a base coat and an undercoat?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\nAccording to Jachno, a base coat is a \u201cspecific product designed to adhere to the natural nail and create the foundation for polish or gel.\u201d She says base coats improve wear time, prevent staining, and support nail health. The term undercoat is a bit broader, referring to \u201canything applied underneath color,\u201d says Jachno. \u201cThis can include treatment layers like nail treatments, primers, bonding treatments, and nail dehydrators used during prep,\u201d she says. In short: Undercoats are about preparing and protecting the nail, while base coats anchor polish.<\/p>\n
Do you need a base coat for your nails?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\nTo get more wear out of your manicure, Russell always recommends using a base coat. \u201cIt\u2019s literally designed to help polish stick to your natural nail,\u201d she says\u2014so skipping it is only doing you a disservice, especially because most base coats also promote nail health. \u201cSome gel polishes come with the base coat built-in, so it\u2019s optional in that case,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n
What ingredients should you look for in base coats?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n\u201cLook for ingredients that support adhesion while protecting the natural nail,\u201d says Jachno. Russell points to Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) as a must for grip and chip resistance, while hydrolyzed keratin stands out for reinforcing weak nails. \u201cStrengthening and conditioning ingredients like calcium, proteins, and vitamin E can help repair the nail plate,\u201d adds Jachno.<\/p>\n
Meet the experts<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
How we test and review products<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\nWhen Allure<\/em> tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.<\/p>\nFor our list of best base coats, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors\u2014along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.<\/p>\n
Our staff and testers<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\nA beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure<\/em> wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors\u2014in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon\u2014is essential to reaching that goal.<\/p>\nAfter all, can we really<\/em> say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.<\/p>\n<\/inline-embed><\/p>\n
Upgrade your at-home manicure set with these editor-approved additions:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n